Governor Monday Okpebholo’s recent visit to the United Kingdom has sparked differing reactions from opposition groups and the Edo State Government, with the opposition questioning the purpose and cost of the trip, while the government maintains it was aimed at engaging Edo indigenes in the diaspora.
The Governor departed for the United Kingdom on Friday for a series of engagements, including a meeting with members of the Edo diaspora.
Reacting to the visit, the Edo State Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Christopher Ojeikere, said the party was awaiting the outcomes of the Governor’s previous overseas engagements, including a visit to Scotland.
According to Ojeikere, the opposition believes the government should prioritise addressing pressing challenges within the state while ensuring that any foreign trips translate into tangible benefits for Edo residents.
Similarly, the National Coordinator of the Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP), Dr. Samson Isibor, expressed reservations about the visit, describing it as an unnecessary exercise. He urged the state government to focus on projects and programmes that directly impact the lives of citizens.
Responding to the criticisms, the Edo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, dismissed claims that the trip imposed a significant financial burden on the state.
According to Afegbua, more than 90 per cent of those who travelled with the Governor funded their own trips.
He explained that the engagement, organised by the London Professional Training Centre, was designed to provide Edo indigenes in the diaspora with updates on the administration’s programmes and developmental initiatives.
Afegbua said the meeting was intended to strengthen ties with the diaspora community, encourage greater participation in the state’s development, and keep Edo residents abroad informed about activities of the government.
He added that the Governor had made it clear that individuals interested in accompanying him would do so at their own expense and not rely on government funding.
The differing positions highlight the continuing debate between the Edo State Government and opposition groups over the value and outcomes of official foreign engagements undertaken by the administration.
